Nelson McCausland MLA
(Democratic Unionist Party - Constituency: North Belfast).
A personal blog in which I comment on a wide variety of issues, political, cultural, social, historical and religious. If something takes my attention, then I may well comment on it.

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Irish News journalist criticises Parades Commission

Today I am indebted to the Irish News for two things:

(1) The Irish News has always been a stalwart defender of the Parades Commission but yesterday on the Evening Extra programme on Radio Ulster, the Irish News journalist Allison Morris took a different line. During the discussion Allison Morris stated that 'at times' the determinations of the Parades Commission 'seem to defy logic.'

This is something that I and other unionists have been saying for a long time. Too many of their determinations are incoherent and inconsistent. Very often when we say such things we are criticised by the Irish News but at last an Irish News journalist has come to the same conclusion.

It would be nice to see the Irish News carry a front page headline criticising the Parades Commission in this way but that may be a step too far for them. Nevertheless one of their senior journalists has set out her position very clearly.

A good example of this is the determinations on the Crumlin Road, when parades come down to the Woodvale Road. For one parade they will allow a band to come down playing music, another time they will say that it has to be a single drum beat and then another time they will prohibit the band from walking down that section of the road. Even for the same band there are inconsistent determinations. Such decisions are beyond comprehension and, to use the words of Allision Morris, they 'seem to defy logic'.

Inconsistent, incoherent and incomprehensible decisions are a major contributor to the anger and resentment against the Parades Commission and have brought the Commission into disrepute.

(2) Connla Young has devoted an entire article in today's Irish News to the issues that I blogged about yesterday. Such coverage is excellent and helps to increase the number of people who view the blog. I couldn't ask for better publicity and I'm just glad I don't have to pay for it!

6 comments:

see the police investigation got you of the hook form having ot actually give a sensible comment on the parade of shame!! More and more Nelson you appear to be playing to the crowd with little to no respect to anyone elses views or opinion. Have to say I am somewhat disappointed in this. I felt you where perhaps better than that but maybe not.

The police investigation into nationalist rioting in Ardoyne didn't stop him commenting about that. Also he makes excuses for the bands saying it was inevitable as unionists were angered by the parades commission rulings this year. However nationalists are not allowed to riot when they feel aggrieved. Nelson bigoted one sided view again. Do this country a favour resign resign resign you bring nothing but bigotry and hatred.

mr mc causland i thinkthat you are a very sad man to try and avoid the situation that occured outside st patricks chapel i live 20 yrds from the parades on the crumlin rd and every year i stay in and watch the tv i dont go out and stand just to watch and see what happens i try to avoid all that stuff but as a member off the assembly are you not meant to speak for all off us on both sides, the display of the bands men and thier followers was sickining if you chose to represent only one half of our community could you give back half your wages just so I know were i stand im not republican just an average catholic who prays to god that our we country can over come all that weve been through for the sake off our children , but your one sided opion just sent us bk 10 yrs lets hope you come to some sort off sence and treat us all as equals

Nelson, quite obv in your mind or should I say "your world" you think there is a difference. Thats be honest here Minister and say it like it is, if the bands had if followed law and order and the rules that were set out for them no music would have been played and IT WAS the bands playing this music that caused the riots surly something you as minister should be able to acknowledge. And again it only shows how loyalits and orange order bands cannot follow the law or the rules that are laid out for them, maybe something you as minister should address. Also with recent events in north belfast which has been started and caused by loyalists, your lack of voice speaks volumes to the people of NI. No doubt later today we shall here you critise the NIHE after the public accounts committee publish their reports, but yet the more important things going on in NI at the minute such as the riots I have already mentioned and that need commented on and condemned you will remain igornant too and again your silence will speak volumes. RESIGN RESIGN RESIGN and take the bigotry and hatred that you as an individual bring to your post of minister.

Your comment is a good example of the prejudice that plagues our society. (1) I didn't comment on the NIHE report yesterday and indeed that report goes to the Public Accounts Committee. I will probably comment on it after the committee has considered it but not until then. (2) Possibly you do not have a radio or teleivison or do not listen or watch but in fact I was on UTV Live on Monday night and on the Nolan Show on radio Ulster yesterday abotu the issue you mention. My colleague Nigel Dodds and other party members have also been on the media.